Eve's Wine 101

Newhall Refinery Brings Craft Cocktails to SCV in a Big Way – Starting March 31!

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Overdue. That’s what we are here in SCV, overdue for the craft cocktail invasion. Mixers, Roman Holiday and SAKE all had some great versions of old cocktails revived with top shelf spirits combined with muddled fruit and spices, fresh fruit purees, garnish, the correct glassware and captivating presentations.

The new Copper Moscow Mule mug at Newhall Refinery

The new Copper Moscow Mule mug at Newhall Refinery

But with all of them now closed I longed for a craft cocktail bar to open – and then I learned that Newhall Refinery, an already popular spot in downtown Newhall that recently expanded, had obtained a spirits license with the intention of creating a craft cocktail menu…and a whisky list as well! I quickly emailed the owners, Shannon and Simon Mee, for more information.

The new additions will first be offered on Tuesday, March 31, with eight signature cocktails – see the full menu below.

“They all taste amazing – we’re really excited and think they will be a hit,” Shannon Mee said. “I’m not aware of anywhere else out here that’s doing this and in addition we will have a big emphases on whisky. As you know bourbon and other whisky are really hot right now – and we will have at least 20 whiskys served with the proper large sphere ice cubes.”

The Initial Whisky List.

Angels Envy

Calumet

Clyde Mays

Elijah Craig

Evan Williams

Four Roses

Glengoyne 10 year

Glengoyne 21 year

Green Spot Irish

Hibiki 12 year (Japanese)

Hudson

Laphroaig 18 year

Makers 46

Old Forester

Rittenhouse Rye

Speyside 18 year

Teelings

Whistle Pig

Craft Liquor List

“Initially there will be a small selection available on request, and we will be sticking to our current craft concept whereby we do not serve the generic brands,” Shannon added. “That means no Grey Goose, no Ketel One, no Bombay Sapphire etc. For mixers we are using the small bottles of Fever Tree which is a exceptional brand that helps create a quality beverage.”

Hanson of Sonoma Organic Vodka

Bummer and Lazarus Gin

Barr Hill Gin

Angostura Rum

Suerte Blanco

Fortaleza Reposado

Ugly Monkey Moonshine

Fernet Branca

Camus Cognac

Craft Cocktails List

Moscow Mule (Copper Mug pictured above)

Blackberry Fence Hopper

Bloody Brilliant

The L Train

Raspberry Suerte

Classic Daiquiri

Rye (or Bourbon) Manhattan

Old Fashioned

Newhall Refinery is located at 24258 Main Street, Newhall, CA 91321

Telephone: 661-388-4477

Email: info@newhallrefinery.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newhallrefinery

Website: http://www.newhallrefinery.comNEWHALL REFINERY cocktail menu 1

Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years.  She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a guest judge for the L.A. International Wine Competition.  You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column.  You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Whisky Heaven with Eve via Whisky Live LA

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How to begin?  I’d have to say that after going to a few single malt scotch tastings, and holding a few in my home, I was still not prepared for WhiskyLive LA.  I could only compare it to the grandest of wine tastings.  It was that large in scope, that impressive in range and that comprehensive in education.

Entering with the VIPs at 5 p.m. into a grand ballroom at the Hyatt Regency in Century City – yet to be filled with guests –  we were followed by a female bagpiper and equipped with etched whisky tasting/nosing glasses and enough drink tickets to satisfy anyone’s palate. A large buffet ran the length of one wall that started with a salad bar, garlic fries, grilled asparagus, BBQ chicken and meatloaf sandwiches.  A large spread of spreads included a creamy edamame that most raved about, as well as sundried tomato, eggplant and green olive tapenade.

Prices for the full bottles (if they had been for sale at the event) ranged from $30 to over $400.  Distillers came from the usual places such as Scotland, Ireland and Kentucky, but also as close as Anaheim, California to parts further out: Colorado, Australia and India.  If the palate grew tired of single pours of whisky, rum, vodka, bitters or single malts, a row of mixologists were busily muddling and shaking different whisky-themed libations.  To round things off, a chocolatier had small cuts of his chocolates that were blended with mint julep and single malts.

I brought my husband Eddie with me, and as expected, the men doubled the women in attendance.  No matter, as most of the whisky reps were uber-attractive ladies that evened the playing field.

My palate grew fatigued after nearly two non-stop hours, and, as I sat with my feet up reviewing my 30 some-odd photos and pages of notes, I sobered up while Eddie did another turn around the room.  I was in whisky heaven.

Some of the standouts of the evening for us was chatting and tasting single malts with distiller Patrick Maguire from Australia Tasmanian Distillery Sullivan’s Cove, the couple from Colorado’s Brekenridge Distillery who shared a sipping bitters, a bourbon and very smooth vodka with us, checking out the local www.lascotchclub.com, having the 18-year old Lagavulin again, loving the depth in the whisky from India’s Amrut single malts, the opportunity to taste the older Glenlivets, St. George’s made right here in Alameda, discovering Usquaebach, Johnnie Walker (for the FIRST time!), a pumpkin spirit and Bernheim’s Wheat Whiskey…

Here is my story in photos.  And, suffice it to say, if you see it here, I dug it in my glass.

 

old port rum

Amrut Fusion, an Indian single malt whisky

Sipping bitters from Breckenridge distillery in Colorado

Oldest irish whisky Kilbeggan - very tasty!

21 American and Spanish sherry cask Glenlivet & 25 full-finish sherry cask Glenlivet

Spirited chocolate, TwiceTheVice.com

 

Usequebach and rep

Usquaebach blend "Oss Ke Bah" with 41 single malts blended

Usquaebach pure highland malt

Breaking & Entering (B&E) Bourbon Whiskey from St. Georges

Bernheim Wheat Whisky

St. George single malt Whiskey, Alameda distillery

Johnnie Walker Gold, top of the line blended, told to serve iced.

Buffalo Trace white mash - something to try

Buffalo Trace Kentucky straight Bourbon Whisky

Not too sweet to pair with pumpkin pie: Great Lakes Distillery Pumpkin spirit

One of our fave discoveries: Rare small batch Sullivan's Cove, from Australia

Small batch Sullivan's Cove

 

From the website http://www.whiskylive.com/

Whisky Live is the international celebration of whisky, bringing all the whiskies of the world together under one roof. Whisky Live prides itself on bringing together the finest whiskies, great food and a range of education and entertainment to make learning about whisky both fun and stimulating. Whether you are a whisky enthusiast an uninitiated newcomer or just looking for a day out that offers you something different Whisky Live has something for everyone.

Whisky Live gives you the unique opportunity to sample the greatest whiskies in the world, whilst mingling with the producers and distillers, marketers and visitor centre staff, all under one roof. In addition to learning about the world of whisky, you will be able to sample rare and sought-after whiskies and meet the stars of the industry.

Each event has its own local flavour and provides the greatest insight into this greatest of spirits. With great food, masterclasses and much more, Whisky Live is a great day out and a memorable experience.

Eve’s Trip to Spirits Confidential – Los Angeles – A Story in Photos

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You have a choice here Dear Wine Friends, if you want a quick “taste” from last week’s Spirits Confidential LA event you can read a story in pictures here, or you can read the full story (including stories from our dignitaries) posted in The West Ranch Beacon today.  Now how about a taste of what we tried at the Hollywood Roosevelt?

The Invite

The maker of Jim Beam & Maker’s Mark invites you to an exclusive opportunity to meet our world famous Master Distillers and Ambassadors.  This is an unparalleled opportunity to share in generations of spirits expertise and mingle with some of the industry’s most respected craftsman and mixologists.

Master Distillers & Ambassadors attending:
FRED NOE: Master Distiller, Great-Grandson of Jim Beam; Son of Booker Noe
DAVE RACICOT: Founder, Thatcher’s® Organic Artisan Liqueurs
GARY NELTHROPP: Son of founder, Donald Nelthropp, and Assistant
Master Distiller Cruzan® Rum
BERNIE LUBBERS: Whiskey Professor & Author of “Bourbon Whiskey”
BOBBY ‘G’ GLEASON: Master Mixologist & Guinness Book of World Record’s holder for most cocktails made in an hour
VICTOR MANUEL MARTINEZ, Sauza Distillery Master Ambassador
ROB SAMUELS, Samuels Family Member & Chief Operating
Officer, Maker’s Mark®
DAN TULLIO: Canadian Whisky Master Ambassador
SIMON BROOKING: Scotch Master Ambassador

The Story in Pics  (more recipes can be found at http://www.jimbeam.com/bourbon-recipes/mixed-drink-recipes )

A glimpse of some of the recipes from Spirits Confidential

l-r: Me, Fred Noe- Master Distiller, Great-Grandson of Jim Beam; Son of Booker Noe, and my partner in spirits, Claudia Sheridan

l-r: Claudia Sheridan, Dave Racicot, founder of Thatcher’s Organic Artisan Liqueurs, Eve

Spirits confidential crowd by Roosevelt pool

Spirits Confidential Maker's Mark Waxer April

Maker's Mark wood samples

Thatcher's Organic Artisan Liqueur are less sweet than others I've had = better alone or in a cocktail in my opinion.

Beam Shot Glass for tasting a fave Laphroaig 18 year-old Scotch

Enjoyed the Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey

The muddled yellow bell pepper in this cocktail made it a standout

Our pretty server with the Canadian Club Reserve 10 yr old that I liked.

Another great cocktail, this one made with Courvoisier Rose with Canadian Club Classic 12

Devil's Cut Dancing with the Devil cocktail with a nice surprise of tabasco!

Jim Beam's great-grandson Fred Noe taking center stage with stories about Chris Penn and Kid Rock!

Chef 101 Humpday: Salmon with Brown Sugar and Bourbon Glaze

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From AllRecipes.com I found what I thought would be really close to a brown sugar bourbon salmon dinner we had in Ketchikan, Alaska.   Of course, that time we were surrounded by eagles and…well…lots of Alaskan Pale Ale.  (You know how important it is to have food closest to the source.)  This recipe, brought back memories…and I dug it because it was e-a-s-y!

Ingredients

4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
4 (6 ounce) salmon steaks
1/3 cup bourbon whiskey
Directions

Melt butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar. Place salmon fillets on top of brown sugar mixture. Cook for 5 minutes on medium heat. Turn salmon, and pour bourbon around the fillets. Continue cooking for 5 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Spoon glaze over the salmon, and serve.

Serves 4

Eve Snakes: The Tasting Panel Magazine’s 5th Annual Tasting Panel Tour, and a Vinturi Travel Aerator! (Featuring a selection of Double Gold Winners from The San Francisco International Wine Competition & The San Francisco World Spirits Competition.)

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Last Thursday, at Waterloo & City in Culver City, I attempted to sample as many double gold wine and spirit winners I could in about an hour.  The time constraint is because I don’t want to deal with the traffic home, and for now, these events occur at lunch and not at the time I want: 10 a.m.

It also prevents me, unlike the tousled haired mid-40ish man next to me, from drinking more than my fair share.  I still wonder how tousled-hair got home…

So, what I can share with you here is which wines and spirits I enjoyed the most, some I was even able to note a simple “wow” or “can you say banana?” If you see these on a wine or bar list – drink them:

Wines

Perrier-Jouet Champagne NV Blasom Rose, Champagne, France

Raza 2001 Torrentes Sweet Sparkling Wine, Famatina Valley, Argentina, BEST IN SHOW SPARKLING & BEST DEMI-SEC  (I sent Dr. Joel Fisher over to try these as I thought they would be great if he could get them at his LA Wine Fest or our Santa Clarita Valley Wine Fest.)

Bota Box 2009 Riesling, California  (Betting this “Box” could be purchased inexpensively, serve it well chilled and enjoy!)

Turk 2009 Gruner Veltliner, Kremstal, Austria.  (If you’ve never had a Gruner – they grow on you.  This one was great.)

Fritz Winery 2009, Russian River Valley BEST CHARDONNAY

Jenner 2009 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

Scheid Vineyards 2008 Pinot Noir Estate, Monterey

Hearst Ranch Winery 2009 Tempranillo, Paso Robles, BEST TEMPRANILLO (And it was!)

Martin Ranch Winery 2009 Malbec, Do Ninas Vineyards, Santa Clara Valley (I grabbed a business card for this one – a really good Malbec.)

Cakebread Cellars, 2008 Merlot, Napa Valley BEST MERLOT

Henson 2008 Syrah, Chalone, California

Bethany Wines, 2005 Shiraz GR10 Reserve, Barossa (I noted that I liked it, and also, for a Shiraz, it was softer than most – pleasantly so.)

Travieso Winery, 2009 Traviesito Red Blend, California

Troublemaker NV Blend 2, Rhone Blend, Paso Robles, BEST RHONE BLEND (I looked at the bottle, it was a Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre – commonly referred to as a GSM blend – with Petit Sirah.  Very nicely done.)

Feather 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley (Yummy.)

Hughes Wellman, 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, BEST CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Benziger 2007 Red Bordeaux Blend, Three Blocks, Sonoma Valley

Spirits

Crystal Head Vodka, Newfoundland, Canada (I had never had the opportunity to try this, I liked it, perfect neutral spirit, not too hot.  The whole Dan Aykroyd/Ghost connection thing had turned me off to trying it in the past.)

Mozart Dry – Chocolate Spirit, Austria BEST OTHER SPIRIT  (If you are a dark chocolate fan you have to try this!)

ORO Pisco Italia Mosto Verde, Peru BEST PISCO

Kai Young Coconut Shochu, Vietnam, BEST SHOCHU

Kai Lemongrass Ginger Shochu, Vietnam  (I noted this one with a big “YES!”  Similar to my favorite Ginger Liqueur, Domaine de Canton, this one with added lemon was perfect.  And it was another one I sent Joel Fisher over to try.)

Dulce Vida Anejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico

Don Julio Real Extra-Aged Anejo Tequila, Mexico, BEST TEQUILA  (This $350 bottle had everything.  Most people at the tasting were clamoring for it and I tweeted out a photo of the beautiful bottle.  In my 50th of an ounce I could only take the time to note the smoothness, the wood flavor and the staggeringly long finish…)

Hacienda de Chihuahua Plata Sotol, Chihuahua, Mexico (Around this time I was guided by Luis Cota, the Tequila/Agave Ambassador for Gemini Spirits & Wine.  It had been a long time since I had gone through a tequila tasting and Luis proved quite helpful.)

Del Maguey Minero Mezcal, Oaxaca, Mexico  (When I noted a lot of peat, like a Scotch, Luis agreed with me… now I had to turn to get closer to those coming up soon in the tasting.)

The Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey (Madeira Finish)  (This was the one I smelled banana in.  But the taste was traditional, very interesting.)

The Tyrconnell 10 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey (Sherry finish)  (If you like sherry casks – this was very similar to Balvenie Single Malt Scotch for me.)

Redbreast 15 Year Old Irish Whiskey, Ireland (Very smoky)

Connemara Cask Strength Irish Whiskey, Ireland

The Dalmore 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, Highlands

Camus Cognac VS Elegance, France

Louis Royer Cognac VSOP Preference, Cognac, France  (Nice and nutty.)

Chateau de Laubade Armagnac 1981, BAS Armagnac, France BEST ARMAGNAC (WOWZA!)

Time to go!  But not before collecting my oh-so-freaking-cool Travel Vinturi Aerator that Tasting Panel had arranged as gifts for all of the attendees.  Joining my ever present corkscrew in my purse, from now on if I get a wine by the glass that isn’t opening up fast enough –  I am set!

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THE SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION

The San Francisco International Wine Competition is the largest and most prestigious wine competition in the United States. Founded in 1981 by the State of California and privatized in 1999, the SF International Wine Competition is owned and directed by James Beard Award Winner and Editor-in-Chief of The Tasting Panel Magazine, Anthony Dias Blue. It owes its prominence to masterful organization and its outstanding panel of judges.

The San Francisco International Wine Competition took place June 17-10, 2011 at the Hotel Nikko San Francisco. 4184 wines were submitted from 29 countries and 20 states.

For a complete list of Double Gold Winners from the 2011 San Francisco International Wine Competition, click here.

THE SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is the first comprehensive, international spirits judging ever held in the United States on an annual basis.

Celebrating its 11th year of awarding spirits excellence, the 2011 competition took place on March 18-20, 2011 at the Hotel Nikko San Francisco. 1106 different spirits from 61 countries were evaluated by 33 of the finest palates from the spirits industry, including Founder and Executive Director, Anthony Dias Blue; and Director of Judging, Tony Abou-Ganim.

For a complete list of Double Gold winners from the 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, click here.

Information above provided by The Tasting Panel magazine.